With a new event comes a new discussion thread. But we're gonna do things a little bit different this time with the Tournament being such a big showdown, and there being time to build up anticipation while the labyrinth is going on.

We'll be doing some deep dives into early game pokemon of each region to assist newer players with picking their teams, so you can see what might be viable in what is sure to be an exciting clash of trainers!

We'll also be doing introductions to NPC trainers and more in here!

First off though, what does everyone think of the labyrinth wild list and challenges? There's some pretty great wild pokemon and I know I'll be spending some quality time hunting for a few of my faves in there.

The Trial of Courage is the only Trial which fits Chernabog Garland IV, but I might wind up doing all of them to get the Imperia Tokens necessary to renting enough items to ensure I am able to get a leg up in spite of not having a good Trade network.

As I mentioned before: a few of us took a deep look into the early game of the different regions to see what pokemon might be helpful to use during the tournament. Since the tournament is taking place in Amaya, I thought I'd start off by taking a look at pokemon that can be found in Amaya, what moves or items they can use, and how useful they could be in the tournament.

This look at Amaya only covers pokemon that can be found before the 3rd badge city in Sky Harbor, and also will generally focus on TMs and Tutor moves obtainable via the shops or in-region sidequests. Sometimes it will make suggestions about rarer items like Dream Capsules and stones that you might not have, but each pokemon will have ratings for how strong they can be with a budget built as well.

Easyness to obtain is based on how easy it is to obtain the pokemon in the form it will be in the tournament, factoring in evolution level, how far into the region the base form is obtainable, item usage required, and any odd methods. Usefulness out of the box is a rating of how strong the pokemon is without using TMs and Tutors and the like. Usefulness with investment gives a somewhat optimal rating based on investing things like dream capsules, heart scales and TMs. The ratings are just my personal take, but feel free to chime in if you disagree on how something is rated!

A balanced pokemon with good bulk for this tournament, Jungon is easy to obtain since it is a starter and a prime candidate for your 1 Eviolite. It can take some hits and heal back with Leech Seed while hitting decently well with Magical Leaf. Jungon's weakness is type coverage, as it doesn't get great attacking moves naturally and can't learn most of what Amaya has to offer that early.
If you have the funds, investing 6000P in a Hidden Power TM (0 badges required in the TM Shop) will give a nice 60 Base Power move that it can use, although the type will be random. If you have a bit more cash and 1 badge, splurging on Nature Power for 8000P could be well worth it as well. Nature Power becomes Power Gem in the Underground Stadium, giving Jungon a way to hurt Flying types trying to switch in on it.
Easyness to obtain: 10/10
Usefulness out of the box: 5/10
Usefulness with investment: 6/10

Embala is similarly easy to obtain as a starter pokemon. It doesn't have the bulk of Jungon but does have speed. 85 Base speed is pretty solid, and it also gets priority moves for both Fire and Normal typing, allowing it to finish off weakened opponents. It also gets Flame Charge to make it even faster. Work up is an intriguing option for boosting attack, and Zen Tackle is available as a 1 Badge tutor to give it some coverage. Overall, Embala isn't quite as useful as the other starters but can still have a role as a revenge killer.
Easyness to obtain: 10/10
Usefulness out of the box: 3/10
Usefulness with investment: 4/10

Atlear has a pretty nice base 92 attack stat, the highest attacking stat of all the starters. It's got a nice priority move in Aqua Jet, a Boosting move in Hone Claws, and a strong STAB move in Depth Charge.
All it needs to be a decent option is some coverage. Water/Normal is actually pretty solid coverage, and Headbutt can be tutored with 1 badge. Power-Up Punch is a bit expensive at 9200P, but it's an intriguing option. A pokemon with physical power like this would love a Choice Band, Life Orb, or Crimson Feather.
Easyness to obtain: 10/10
Usefulness out of the box: 5/10
Usefulness with investment: 6/10

I know. Using the first route rodent isn't sexy for a big tournament. But when the level cap is 25, certain things become a lot stronger. Plus Meerklaw has some killer abilities. Stakeout doubles the power of moves used on pokemon that have switched, which can punish a switch happy opponent. Adaptability is even better! It supercharges its normal type moves, which are already coming off a solid base 95 attack stat (but requires a Dream Capsule investment). Meerklaw learns Slash at level 25, which is perfect for Adaptability. It also gets a priority move in Quick Attack, and access to the extremely useful Knock Off as a 1 Badge tutor. Underestimate this pokemon at your own peril.
Easyness to obtain: 10/10
Usefulness out of the box: 6/10
Usefulness with investment: 8/10

Dingrowl is a pure ground type that can be found on the very first route in Amaya. It has strong 95/100 offenses with 90 speed, and is already fully evolved. It needs some investment in the movepool department but would be extremely useful on a Sand Team as a mixed sweeper with Sand Rush.
Zen Tackle and Sneak attack could both help with coverage, but it has to rely on the somewhat unpredictable Magnitude for STAB.
Easyness to obtain: 8/10
Usefulness out of the box: 5/10
Usefulness with investment: 6/10

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Dolventine is obtainable in the Crystal Bay sidequest, and it can be a very potent option for your team if you use an auri stone to evolve it into Nessamore, or give it an Eviolite without evolving it. Both of them are very bulky and have the excellent Water/Fairy typing. Icy Wind as a 1 Badge tutor can help their coverage out as well.
Easyness to obtain: 7/10
Usefulness out of the box: 7/10
Usefulness with investment: 8/10

Staryu can be found wild in Crystal Bay and is a fantastic option for a water type pokemon if evolved into Starmie. It has a very nice 115 base speed, making it faster than most pokemon allowed in the tournament, as well as a potent 100 base Special Attack and underrated bulk for this format. It features a solid STAB move in Bubblebeam, a way to remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin, and Recover for preserving itself. If you happen to be a little farther along, it has a wide TM movepool that will make it even better. Starmie is excellent both as fully loaded and a budget option. The only downside is that you'll need a Water Stone to get one, but Forredge City features some rarer stones which could easily be used as tradebait to get a Water Stone.
Easyness to obtain: 6/10
Usefulness out of the box: 8/10
Usefulness with investment: 10/10

Bigleef evolves from Leef at level 22 and Leef can be found just after the first badge. Bug/Grass leaves Bigleaf open to big damage from Fire and Flying pokemon, but it can also dish out big damage with its base 100 attack and base 106 speed. It gets Swords Dance upon evolution to become a powerful set up sweeper, and has a nice combination of Razor Leaf and Bug Bite as STAB moves. It can also get Uproot and Blade song from the Gym TMs. Knock Off and Zen Tackle as early tutor options can give it some coverage.
Easyness to obtain: 8/10
Usefulness out of the box: 8/10
Usefulness with investment: 8/10

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Vulpix is wild on the same route as Leef, and it can be just as potent after evolving with a Fire Stone. Corona Ring can be obtained from the Zoa Elders quest and makes for a nice STAB option. Evolving can be a bit of a pain due to needing a Fire Stone, but using the Forredge stones as tradebait like I suggested for Starmie could be the way to get it done.
If you decide to sacrifice your held item slot and give Ninetales an Oracle Stone, it gains the Ghost Type and gets a very nice stat boost. It also adds some potent options to Ninetales' choices for its six moves: Soul Shroud, Soul Storm, Mystic Dance, and Aura Sphere.
Easyness to obtain: 6/10
Usefulness out of the box: 7/10
Usefulness with investment: 10/10

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Verline is obtainable at the other side of Zoa Village in the forest path, and evolves into Verdeguar with a Leaf Stone. Verdeguar boasts a monstrous 120 base attack, and gets Bite on evolution to go with what it learned as Verline. Uproot is obtainable as a reward for beating the second gym and works as Grass STAB. With an Oracle Stone, Verdeguar receives a boost similar to Ninetales, and its attack reaches base 135. It gains Soul Shroud, Soul Scourge, Growth, and Close Combat as movepool options.
Easyness to obtain: 5/10
Usefulness out of the box: 7/10
Usefulness with investment: 10/10

Phairis can be obtained in the same spot as Verdeguar, but requires a slightly rarer Sun Stone to evolve from Sprima into Drylac. Drylac has nice offensive stats to go with Grass/Fairy typing. It also gets a boosting move in Growth and has Natural Cure as an ability, which lets it remove status conditions by switching out.
Drylac gets the powerful Mystic Dance as an relearner move if you have a Heart Scale handy. If you're a bit further along, it also happens to have a fantastic TM pool to go with excellent special attacking stats.
Easyness to obtain: 5/10
Usefulness out of the box: 6/10
Usefulness with investment: 9/10

Available just past Badge 2 in Zen Forest, Bugsaw has a great Bug/Steel typing that only has 1 weakness. It has a huge attack stat and gets Bug Bite and Metal Claw as STABs by level up. It also has access to Rapid Spin and even Spikes (if you use a heart scale). A 2 Badge TM, Rock Tomb would help Bugsaw catch Fire Types on switch in and lower their Speed.
Easyness to obtain: 7/10
Usefulness out of the box: 6/10
Usefulness with investment: 8/10

It's difficult to obtain, but Mirai can be found on the Zoa Temple Grounds just after badge 2. With some happiness raising items, it's possible to obtain a pretty beastly pokemon in Miralupe. Ice/Psychic typing isn't great for defense, but it hits a lot of things hard. If evolved at level 25, Miralupe would have Psybeam as Psychic STAB, would get Nightchill for Ice STAB upon Evolution, and Hidden Power as a coverage, with the option to use a Heart Scale for Mystic Dance. Just those 4 moves make Miralupe a serious contender, and that's not even taking into account that Magic Guard is one of the better abilities in the game.
Easyness to obtain: 2/10
Usefulness out of the box: 8/10
Usefulness with investment: 9/10

Miralair is the other evolution option for Mirai, and it's just as good as Miralupe. Miralupe has a blistering 110 base speed and gets Featherstorm upon evolution. It even has a decent attack stat to use U-Turn if you relearn it. Miralupe and Miralair are a hard to obtain and raise happiness for quick enough without investing in some breeding center items, but the results would be well worth it.
Easyness to obtain: 2/10
Usefulness out of the box: 8/10
Usefulness with investment: 9/10

I was going to make an OI Analysis of "early-game" 'mons in it free of charge, but then I decided to give some credit to SilentSentinel to giving me ideas involving what bulky Waters to get and/or rent.

Here's a look at Kanto and the viable pokemon that can be found early! This guide looks exclusively at pokemon found at Mt. Moon or before, and Kanto is chock full of pokemon that are extremely viable in the tournament format.

Ivysaur is easy to obtain due to being a starter, and has well balanced stats. It gets access to several helpful moves like Leech Seed and Sleep Powder. Having access to so many useful Status moves means that Ivysaur requires fairly little TM or Tutor investment to fill a useful role on your team, but Hidden Power is relatively inexpensive and also helps other pokemon as well.
Easyness to obtain: 10/10
Usefulness out of the box: 6/10
Usefulness with investment: 6/10

Charmeleon doesn't have a ton of great Fire type moves at level 25, but it does get a reliable damage dealing move in Dragon Rage. Very few pokemon have over 120 HP at level 25, so a Charmeleon will be able to 3HKO nearly every pokemon in the tournament. Fireball Volley is tutorable at 2 badges and could provide a slight boost in power over Ember.
Easyness to obtain: 10/10
Usefulness out of the box: 4/10
Usefulness with investment: 5/10

Wartortle is a bulkier water type. Kanto doesn't have many early water pokemon for it to compete with, but Wartortle has some nice tools that can help it hold its own. Rapid Spin could end up being very useful, and having Bite to hit Psychic and Ghost pokemon could be a big help. Defeating Misty at Badge 2 gives the Scald TM, one of the best moves in the game and a perfect option on Wartortle.
Easyness to obtain: 10/10
Usefulness out of the box: 5/10
Usefulness with investment: 6/10

Rattata is obtainable on the first route of Kanto and evolves into Raticate at level 20, making it an easily obtainable fully evolved pokemon. A level 25 Raticate will have a very nice attacking combo of STAB Hyper Fang for pure damage and Crunch to smack Ghost types, along with Quick Attack and Pursuit for priority and hitting switch-outs.
Easyness to obtain: 8/10
Usefulness out of the box: 8/10
Usefulness with investment: 8/10

If you can get your hands on a Mist Stone, Raticlaw provides a stat boost over Raticate and gains the Poison typing. It gains Poison Tail on evolution, and if evolved at the sweet spot of 24, Raticlaw will learn both Crunch and Poison Jab. Raticlaw's 107 base speed will make it faster than a majority of opposing pokemon.
Easyness to obtain: 5/10
Usefuless out of the box: 9/10
Usefulness with investment: 9/10

Hoothoot can be caught on Route 1 with Rattata, and also evolves at level 20. Noctowl doesn't have the offensive presence that Raticate can give you, but it does have excellent special bulk with 100 base HP and 96 base Special Defense, and gets access to useful moves like Hypnosis and Psycho Shift. Noctowl could use better STAB options, so Swift as a 1 Badge Tutor and perhaps Air Cutter would help it out.
Easyness to obtain: 8/10
Usefulness out of the box: 5/10
Usefulness with investment: 7/10

Butterfree doesn't have a huge stat total, but it evolves extremely early and has a usable movepool right out of the box with nice attacking moves in Silver Wind, Psybeam, and Gust, along with great status moves like Sleep Powder. Butterfree can become even better if a Dream Capsule is invested to give it Tinted Lens.
Easyness to obtain: 10/10
Usefulness out of the box: 7/10
Usefulness with investment: 8/10

Butterfree can become even stronger if you have a Mist Stone and can evolve it into Locustod. It goes from Bug/Flying to Bug/Psychic, gaining STAB on that powerful Psybeam. It also gets Power Gem at level 25 for excellent coverage, and can become a dangerous sweeper if a Heart Scale is invested to teach it Tail Glow.
Easyness to obtain: 5/10
Usefulness out of the box: 9/10
Usefulness with investment: 10/10

Beedrill is in a similar spot as Butterfree as a high-floor, low-ceiling option that is easy to get. It doesn't get the useful status moves that Butterfree has, but Pursuit can be just as valuable depending on how switch happy your opponents are.
Easyness to obtain: 10/10
Usefulness out of the box: 5/10
Usefulness with investment: 5/10

Beepin is similar to Raticlaw and Locustod, requiring a Mist Stone investment to get. This evolution cranks up Beedrill's attack stat to 125 and grants it the extremely powerful Technician ability. Technician is most notable for making Beepin's Spine Dart a very powerful Poison type attack.
Easyness to obtain: 5/10
Usefulness out of the box: 9/10
Usefulness out of the box: 10/10

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Pichu and Pikachu are both obtainable in Viridian Forest and can be evolved if one has a Thunderstone handy. Pikachu can be made into a perfectly viable option with a Light Ball, while Alolan Raichu is also an option if one has the somewhat rare Lei item. All 3 are good choices for fast electric types.
Easyness to obtain: 8/10
Usefulness out of the box: 7/10
Usefulness with investment: 9/10

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Oddish is obtainable in Viridian Forest and can be fully evolved via a Leaf or Sun Stone after level 21. Vileplume and Bellossom are both slower Grass types who can fill the role of a status spreader if you didn't pick Bulbasaur as your starter.
Easyness to obtain: 6/10
Usefulness out of the box: 6/10
Usefulness with investment: 7/10

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The base forms of these pokemon can be acquired on route 3, and a Moon Stone is obtainable via sidequest in Mt. Moon, making having a Nidoking or Nidoqueen more likely than many of the other Stone Evolutions we've detailed here so far. Both are excellent options with wide movepools and strong stats all around. Nidoking is more offensive while Nidoqueen is a bit bulkier. They both have excellent TM options, if you have the money.
Easyness to obtain: 7/10
Usefulness out of the box: 7/10
Usefulness with investment: 9/10

Wigglytuff also evolves from a Pokemon obtainable on Route 3 by using a Moon Stone. Since it has to compete with the Nidos for the right to use that Moon Stone, it's fair to judge Wigglytuff's merit for usage in comparison to them. Wigglytuff is slower and less powerful but has a huge HP stat and is a rare Fairy option for Kanto players.
Easyness to obtain: 7/10
Usefulness out of the box: 5/10
Usefulness out of the box: 7/10

Arbok isn't the sexiest option but it has access to some nice abilities in Intimidate and Shed Skin, and has access to a 100% Paralysis move in Glare. It also learns the powerful Crunch upon evolution and can get the elemental Fangs as valuable coverage moves if you can spare the Heart Scales.
Easyness to obtain: 7/10
Usefulness out of the box: 7/10
Usefulness with investment: 8/10

Fearow is also very unsexy but is probably Kanto's best early flying type. It's got a nice 100 base speed, and a strong attack stat complemented by getting Aerial Ace and Pursuit. Secret Power would be a great Normal STAB option as an early Tutor.
Easyness to obtain: 7/10
Usefulness out of the box: 7/10
Usefulness with investment: 7/10

Sandslash evolves from Sandshrew at level 22 and is a Pure Ground type with great physical defenses and a strong base 100 Attack stat. It has a nice partial trapping move in Sand Tomb and the always useful Rapid Spin. It sadly cannot learn Brock's TM Smack Down, but Rock Tomb is an option for coverage as a 2 badge tutor.
Easyness to obtain: 6/10
Usefulness out of the box: 5/10
Usefulness with investment: 5/10

Similar to the other Mist Stone pokemon in Kanto, Sandslash becomes a beast if this item is used to evolve it again. Sandswipe gains the Dark Type and huge boosts to Attack and Speed, as well as the dangerous Moxie ability. It also gains an entry hazard in Spikes, and a priority dark move in Sneak Attack. Mist Stones are somewhat rare, but Sandswipe is a potential monster in this tournament.
Easyness to obtain: 4/10
Usefulness out of the box: 9/10
Usefulness with investment: 10/10

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Evolving from the ever annoying Zubat, Golbat is a fast pokemon that's worth a look. Confuse Ray is a 100% accurate move that can annoy enemies, and there's useful damage moves in Bite and Wing Attack. If you're able to grind its happiness high enough, Crobat is one of the fastest pokemon in the game, tying with several potential tournament threats like Kiyarok and Nebulion. It also learns a great Poison STAB in Cross Poison upon evolution.
Easyness to obtain: 7/10 (golbat), 3/10 (crobat)
Usefulness out of the box: 5/10 (golbat), 8/10 (crobat)
Usefulness with investment: 6/10 (golbat), 9/10 (crobat)

Paras can be found in Mt. Moon and evolves into Parasect at level 24. Parasect is notable because it learns the incredibly rare Spore, a 100% accurate sleep move that only fails on Grass pokemon. Parasect is slow and extremely weak to Fire and Flying pokemon, but just having Spore makes it a dangerous opponent. Running Spore and Stun Spore together as a Double Status type of set could prove to be crippling for one's opponent.
Easyness to obtain: 7/10
Usefulness out of the box: 7/10
Usefulness with investment: 7/10

Geodude evolves into Graveler right at level 25, which allows for a player to evolve it into the powerful Golem via trade and still be tournament legal. Golem's powerful 120 Base attack allows it to fire off power Rock and Ground attacks, and it packs Self-Destruct to go out with a bang. If it has Sturdy as its ability, Golem can always survive one attack and hit back hard or take the opponent down with it.
Easyness to obtain: 6/10
Usefulness out of the box: 8/10
Usefulness with investment: 8/10

Clefable is the other Fairy type option aside from Wigglytuff. It's obtainable later and also competes for the sidequest Moonstone. Clefable's movepool options aren't amazing but if you happen to have access to a Fairy TM like Dazzling Gleam somehow, it might be the best moon stone option. Magic Guard syncs very well with the Life Orb item, which is rentable during the tournament.
Easyness to obtain: 6/10
Usefulness out of the box: 6/10
Usefulness with investment: 8/10

If the Auri can use mind powers, I wouldn't be surprised if they could make hallucinogens for liches.
In my case, I'm currently in a fight with a zealous PETA-cop who teleported in after my baby dragon used a seahorse as a gun following his lack of cooperation.

I'm 99% sure we've all been drugged, and it's only going to get crazier from here.

If the Auri can use mind powers, I wouldn't be surprised if they could make hallucinogens for liches.
In my case, I'm currently in a fight with a zealous PETA-cop who teleported in after my baby dragon used a seahorse as a gun following his lack of cooperation.

I'm 99% sure we've all been drugged, and it's only going to get crazier from here.

And now for something completely different: It's time for the first entry in a series called "Faces of Imperia"! We'll be conducting quick interviews with various entrants to the tournament to get a closer look into who they are, why they're here, and how far they think they can go.

The first participant to be interviewed was the one and only Gamma! The transcript of his interview can be found right here:

SilentSentinel: Hello Gamma! I was hoping you could first start out by telling everyone about your character and their motivation for entering the tournament.

Gamma: "I am Chernabog Garland IV. I made a deal with Cadombra; in exchange for vengeance against my sworn enemies in the Orange Islands Pokemon League and in Team Plasma, I am to kill Brucilong. It gives me no real joy to be in the Tournament of Imperia, though I am suspicious of the Auri Society and its intentions."

SilentSentinel: I see, that's quite a lofty goal! As an Auri Society sponsored host for the Tournament, I can't answer much in the way of any ill intentions, but I will say that they've assured everyone that no shenanigans will be happening during the battles!

SilentSentinel: It seems like your confidence level is pretty high at this point, do you think you've got a shot to go far in the battles ahead?

Gamma: "Short answer: no. Long answer: One Auri member in particular, Nergal Seymour, aided me with giving me a multitude of different Pokemon, as well as enabled me to fight him in a Flora mission known as the 'Auras of the Elements.' My ambitions relate mostly to working for Team Flora, though I'm certain Alpin is probably confused as to why my rotting corpse and its one-armedness are back around, when Drake and Danny's attempts to murder me succeeded. I've been locked into a cycle of revenge since seeing a role model of mine, Silke Miru Klein, lose entirely to bullshit in a previous Tournament."

Gamma: "I saw those hooded hooligans hanging around with that 'Kitab' guy not long after doing the Trial of Absurdity - my nickname for the Auri Labyrinth in general, and have found... that they are likely to cause foul play."

SilentSentinel: Well I for one have to say that it sounds like you've got a good friend there! You've got a pretty diverse team that he seems to have help you put together, do you have any one pokemon with you that you feel particularly confident in?

Gamma: "It was raining in the Auri Labyrinth, and I adopted a stray. I also caught some other Pokemon of interest. My team is still in rotary mode, whilst I figure some things out. I will say that I have high hopes in all of my team members, though I do believe that my Goloth, Darius, is currently the one Pokemon I can see absolutely demolishing the others' teams."

Gamma: "Without fail."

SilentSentinel: Goloth is definitely a strong pokemon, for all you folks out there not in the know! It seems like you've got a bit of an axe to grind here. Is there anyone in particular you're hoping to be matched up against during this tournament?

Gamma: "Hm... I've made many enemies doing the world at least eleven favours... probably more, if my Pokemon back on the Orange Islands are in action against the League. My reputation as The Kingslayer has been put to the test by Cadombra, and so I aim to face against Brucilong. My team will have resists to that Tyrant's primary type, and I have no Pokemon of the secondary type on account of having seen firsthand what it can do when one hits the field. I have a sneaking suspicion that Red-Hooded Guy I saw with Kitab is that Tyrant, and while I am not quite prepared to carve into his spine with a toothbrush, I can certainly say that fighting against the Hooded One will be me honoring my part of The Pact."(edited)

SilentSentinel: Well if there's an opportunity to fight that crazy dragon, hopefully you'll be close at hand! Before we sign off here, is there anything else you'd like all the folks at home to know?

Gamma: "I have evil plans to stop. I initially didn't give a shit about winning this, but now I see that I am mandated to win at all costs in order to stop Brucilong's plans."

Gamma: waves with the stumpy arm

SilentSentinel: There you have it folks! We've got ourselves one motivated competitor on our hands! Be on the lookout for Chernabog to make some waves in the Tournament of Imperia!

This interview was brought to you by delicious syrupy taste of Sky Harbor Cola! Sky Harbor Cola, the only thing higher than our profits is your risk of diabetes!

Hello folks! We're back once again with another interview in our Faces of Imperia series, where we take you behind the curtain and talk to the many trainers competing for the top prize at the Tournament of Imperia!

The first few trainers have begun to finish their qualification trials for the tournament and are exiting the labyrinth. We decided to take at look at one of these early finishers and presumed frontrunners to see what they have to say about their flawless Challenge completion, and much more. This time, we're interviewing Sarah IV!

SilentSentinel:Hello there Sarah! I'm sure that not everyone has heard of you despite your family's long and storied history with tournaments. Why don't you go ahead and tell us a little about yourself?

Sarah IV: Sure! I'm Sarah, and I come from a long line of pokemon trainers that have enjoyed battling in tournaments for many years. My oldest sister Sarah was the first Champion of the Tournament of Ishmadal way back when before all of the Zeralis crazyness started to go down, and we send one member of our family to every major tournament. This year it was my turn!

SilentSentinel: Huh, so a whole family of tournament-battling Sarahs. No offense, but your parents weren't all that creative with their names, were they?

Sarah IV: I suppose not. My parents are both named Sarah as well, so they decided to just differentiate between us by number instead of giving us different names. It's a common misconception that each of us that has entered tournaments was from a different generation because of the roman numerals, but really we're all just sisters!

SilentSentinel:Do you have any brothers?

Sarah IV: Yep! Not many people know this, but Sarah III at the last Tournament of Ishmadal is actually a guy. We all look and dress similar so it's a bit hard to tell.

SilentSentinel:What a colorful family dynamic! Your family is also famous for something else, isn't that right?

Sarah IV: When we aren't battling, our family runs a Luxray ranch out in Sinnoh. We raise Shinx and Luxio into prized Luxray that help out power plant workers. I've brought a Luxio with me to the Tournament, hopefully it'll get some good experience.

SilentSentinel:Speaking of the Tournament, you got through your qualifying round quite quickly! I'm sure that the other entrants took notice of your swift finish.

Sarah IV: I didn't really expect getting through the maze to be a problem, and it wasn't. My family trains to win, so anything besides breezing through the qualifying round would have been pretty concerning to me. I don't think that being slow to finish qualifying means you don't have a shot, but it gives you a nice confidence boost when you zip through it, don't you think?

SilentSentinel: I'd have to agree with you there! There's a few trainers that have finished now and they all seem pretty confident in their abilities, just like you.

SilentSentinel: I'm sure you've at least taken a cursory glance at the field, are there any trainers among them that stand out to you?

Sarah IV: I've done a little bit of homework, but the person I'm most interested in facing hasn't actually entered yet. I sure hope he does though, my older sister Sarah was the one that beat him in the championship round way back when. I'd like to get a crack at that guy myself!

SilentSentinel: Now that's a match I'd like to see! I'd love to keep chatting with you, but we have to go to commercial soon, so I'll end with one last question.

SilentSentinel:There's been rumors floating around that you've got some kind of Super Pokemon on your team that no one has ever seen before. Trainers don't typically run into each other all that often in the labyrinth, but it seems like someone was knocked out and failed the qualifying round because whatever this pokemon was, it was immune to several types of attacks, and strong enough to beat his entire team. Care to comment on these rumors?

Sarah IV: I guess you'll all just have to wait and see!

SilentSentinel:How stunningly cryptic! I'm sure your first opponent will have the opportunity to see this possible surprise you have up your sleeve! Thanks for stopping by, Sarah!

Sarah IV: No problem, SS!

SilentSentinel: Well folks, that's all the time we have for today. We'll see you in the next installment of Faces of Imperia!

This interview was brought to you by Silph Co. Silph Co, the company with the technology to produce Master Balls, but without the business acumen to sell them for huge profits!

Kal lowkey shudders while reading the interview thinking back to Ishmadal I and facing Sarah there and losing to her Luxray. He assumed he was the one being alluded to in the interview. He wouldn't allow himself to lose to her family this time.